To surf the Internet, you always are in need of a browser, and so far there haven't been that many quality apps up for the task other than a few. Most of the browsers on the Play Store do contain intrusive ads, collect user data, and perform quite poorly. So, we are non-stop looking for reliable, easy to use, and well-put applications, and in this category, there aren't that many worthy of attention. We are going to tell you more about in a bit, but perhaps, before doing so, you should check out our previous collections of beta apps that you must try.

10 best music streaming and local MP3 players for Android in beta

The best navigation (maps) applications for Android in beta

1. Chrome Beta

The most used mobile browser with close to 60% market share is Google's Chrome, and when it comes to trying new features, design tweaks, and a lot more, we have Chrome Beta. There is the flags menu that you can tinker with if being on the newest bleeding edge Chrome release is not enough. You can enter it by simply typing chrome://flags in the address bar and Bob's your uncle. For an even more thrilling and yet unstable experience, you should take Chrome Dev for a test run instead.

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Our second roundup of top Android apps to test out is here, this time covering applications for GPS navigation. Make note that you can apply for beta testing of each of them from the embedded links below.

1. Google Maps

Google's Maps application easily takes the crown with it's very simple to navigate and good-looking UI, other than the unmatched real-time traffic status information, voice navigation, support for offline maps, and tailored restaurant recommendations. Moreover, it does provide additional data about public transport in lots of areas in the world, including schedules for buses, trains, and ride-shares, i.e., using services like Uber and Lyft.

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2. Google Maps Go

If you do not have a well-specced Android device, Maps Go is available on Google Play. It lets you look up addresses, etc., but sadly, it does not have all of the bells and whistles of the original Maps app. Perhaps, it does not offer turn-by-turn navigation, so for that, you will have to look elsewhere. On a side note, the great speed advantage of it comes by leveraging the PWA (Progressive Web App) standard, and thus, it requires Chrome to be installed on your mobile phone for it to function.

Microsoft Launcher is born from the company's vision for a better Android homescreen experience, with deeper ties to their online services + their Windows 10 operating system for desktops. That said, they have a beta program running for the app, which allows us, testers, to get early access to the newest and coolest features in return of providing free feedback. The latest 5.5 beta is now live on the Google Play Store and brings a couple of mighty tweaks and optimizations of the following.

What's new

• Adaptive Icons - Choose one icon shape for all your apps.
• Hidden Dock - It’s back! You can set the dock to be hidden and still access apps and widgets.
• UX adjustments for accessing shortcuts when the home screen is locked.
• Get notification badges for calling and messaging apps without setting Microsoft Launcher as your default assistant. Set Launcher as your default assistant for better accuracy.
• Faster Tasks card syncing for MSA and work/school accounts.

Adaptive icons

Back in 2017 with Android Oreo 8.0, Google has come up with a solution to the non-uniformity of app icons across the UI in the form of Adaptive icons.

Nowadays, everyone is listening to music on-the-go, at home, at work, etc. As a die-hard music fan and a "betaholic," I would like to share with you my favorite music players for Android that have ongoing beta testing programs of sorts. Divided into two categories, here are the best music apps that you should try out as soon as possible.

Music streaming apps in beta

1. Spotify

Of course, the number one music streaming service, without a doubt, is Spotify. It has a huge music library and a simple to use client for Android. Premium members also enjoy unlimited skips and downloads, no ads and interruption-less music listening experience for just $9.99. Right now, there is an offer for three months of Spotify Premium for only $0.99 in the US, and €0.99 here in Europe. This great deal ends on July 1, so make sure to grab it when it's still valid.

*Beware that there are often server-side releases occurring for Spotify, so despite having the latest and greatest beta updates installed on your devices, you may not always have the newest changes and features.

While feature-wise Niagara Launcher by Peter Huber is too limited (for now,) it does amaze with its sleek looks and outstanding, yet simple UX. It gets quite far from traditional Android launchers by ditching the homescreen+drawer combo altogether in place of a simple list of apps, but with a twist - you always have an alphabetical scrollbar on the right-hand side and access to a search bar with a tap on the home button if its enabled (because it is off by default.)

Support for widgets has been the number one request by many users since last year, and in the latest set of alpha releases, the developer has finally made this wish come true. Perhaps, why don't we go through the changelogs for all of these updates and then give you all of the nitty-gritty details about the current state of this feature?

What's new

alpha1

• 🔣 Widget support - you can add one widget above your favorites (Niagara’s settings > Features > Add widget).

• It’s vertically resizable (hold on the widget > Resize). Horizontal resizing and centering will come in the second alpha.

• Fixed a bug in the most used algorithm and made it more precise

• Replaced a couple of icons (e.g., in Niagara’s settings)

• Large parts of Niagara’s source code have been rewritten to improve code stability in the long term and to make adding features easier.

alpha2

• Fixed a crash that occurred after replacing a widget

• Widgets can be moved (almost) to the top part of the screen.

• Updated translations (You can submit your own at http://crwd.in/niagara-launcher)

• Enhanced app suggestions

• Changing the widget’s width and alignment is still not possible, but you’ll be able to choose between three different modes in the future (more at the end of https://github.com/8bitPit/Niagara-Issues/issues/117).

alpha3

• Provides a fix for a bug introduced in alpha2

Widgets

The implementation is not final, so expect in the next alpha builds to see more refinements and other options. Otherwise, settings for customizing the widget height as well as placement are there.